How To Grow a Pineapple as a Houseplant

Imagine growing your very own pineapple. If it successfully grows, you’ll find yourself with a beautiful tropical houseplant…and in a couple years, fruit. It may not be the most realistic way to regrow food. But it is a pretty fun little weekend project.

What you need: A fresh pineapple from the grocery store (nothing overripe), four toothpicks, a glass of water, a pretty pot and soil.

Step 1: Twist the top off your pineapple. Grab the leaves at the crown and give it a firm twist. (You might want to wear gloves for this, but the top should spin right off.) This top stalk piece is what you’ll use to plant your pineapple. Since the rest of the fruit remains, it’s strongly advised that you take a break here to eat some pineapple.

Step 2: Tear off the leaves from the stalk. Your roots will sprout from the bottom of the stalk, so tear back the leaves to expose the base. If there’s still fruit at the base, make sure to cut that off as well.

Step 3: Poke your toothpicks just below the remaining leaves on the stalk and suspend in a glass of clean water. You want a glass small enough for the toothpicks to balance so that they hold the leafy part of the pineapple above the water but keep the base submerged. Place in a sunny spot and…

Step 4: Wait. And while you’re waiting, remember to change the water every few days. And also, maybe eat some more pineapple.

Step 5: Once the roots grow to about 1/4-inch thick, transfer to a big boy pot with soil. This process might take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and you have beautiful little houseplant with a secret–fruit growing beneath.